Feb. 10, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford University men's and women's tennis teams dropped a pair of matches to nationally ranked Auburn University at Montgomery on Friday at the Lakeshore Foundation. The AUM women are ranked No. 1 nationally among NAIA schools, while the men are ranked second nationally.

The women fell 5-0 to the Lady Senators in the match, which was shortened due to rain. Both the No. 5 and No. 6 matches were suspended because of the weather, but AUM was still able to earn a win.

In doubles play, the tandem of Anna Jackson and Katie McMiller defeated Natalie Sienkob and Rachel Dunlavy, 8-2, on the No. 2 court, however AUM won the doubles point, claiming the No. 1 and No. 3 matches.

In singles play, both McMiller and Emily White fell, but were able to force the matches to three sets. McMiller lost the No. 2 point to Nadia Lysak, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, and White fell 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 to Khady Berthe on the No. 3 court.

"Overall, I'm really proud of the way the girls played today," said Samford head coach Terri Sisk. "Our doubles looked a lot better. In singles play, we lost two of the four singles matches in three sets against the defending national champions in NAIA, so I'm pretty pleased with how we did. Its matches like that get us ready for conference play."

On the men's side, the Bulldogs fell 4-0 to the Senators in a match that was also shortened due to rain. AUM claimed the doubles point with a 3-0 sweep, along with three singles points. Three Bulldogs were leading in their respective matches, but the matches were suspended because of the rain.

The Samford University women's tennis team returns to action on Feb. 17 at home against Arkansas State, while the men play at home on the Feb. 18 against Martin Methodist.


Women's Results
AUM 5, SAM 0
Doubles
No. 1 Kamila Dadakhodjaeva/Nadia Lysak (AUM) def Emily White/Sarah McKey (SAM), 8-3
No. 2 Anna Jackson/Katie McMiller (SAM) def Natalie Sienkob/Rachel Dunlavy (AUM), 8-2
No. 3 Yudeshnee Pillay/Khady Berthe (AUM) def. Whitnie Warren/Christie Baker (SAM), 8-1

Singles
No. 1 Kamila Dadakhodjaeva (AUM) def. Anna Jackson (SAM), 6-0, 6-2
No. 2 Nadia Lysak (AUM) def. Katie McMiller (SAM), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
No. 3 Khady Berthe (AUM) def. Emily White (SAM), 2-6, 6-4, 6-0
No. 4 Natalie Sieukob (AUM) def. Whitnie Warren (SAM), 7-5, 6-1
No. 5 Sarah McKey (SAM) vs. Yudeshnee Pillay (AUM), susp.
No. 6 Bethany Benson (SAM) vs. Rachel Dunlavy (AUM), susp.


Men's Results
AUM 4, SAM 0
Doubles
No. 1 Danuiel Plasa/Joel Kusnierz (AUM) def. Renan Silveira/Bradley Weaver (SAM), 8-7
No. 2 Anton Brykalin/Timothy Mudrick (AUM) def. Stuart Misner/Hank Grant (SAM), 8-6
No. 3 Victor Sanaka Papi/Petropolous (AUM) def. Johnny Griffee/James Bryce (SAM), 8-5

Singles
No. 1 Daniel Plasa (AUM) def. Bradley Weaver (SAM), 6-4,6-2
No. 2 Hank Grant (SAM) led Anton Brykalin (AUM), 6-0, suspended
No. 3 Victor Sanaka Papi (AUM) def Stuart Misner (SAM), 7-6, 6-4
No. 4 Renan Silveira (SAM) led Joel Kusnierz (AUM), 6-2, suspended
No. 5 Johnny Griffee (SAM) led Timothy Mudrick (AUM), 6-2, suspended
No. 6 Petropolous (AUM) def. Eric Stephens (SAM) 6-2, 6-4